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MINING MACHINE Filed Aug. 26, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent MINING MACHINE Anthony R. Biedess, Chicago, 111., assignor to Goodman Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application August 26, 1952, Serial No. 306,422

8 Claims. (Cl. 214-132) This invention relates generally to improvements in mucking machines adapted for use in shoveling muck or rock in tunnels or mines, and relates more particularly to improvements in such machines whereby the rooting action of the scoop or bucket is more efficient than in the machines of the prior art.

The invention herein is particularly adapted for use in connection with machines of the general type as shown in Biedess Patent No. 2,239,076 issued April 22, 1941, for Mucking Machine.

In carrying out the invention herein the usual hoisting and swinging means for the scoop is employed to achieve a rooting action of the scoop while it is being crowded into a bank of broken rock or muck. The invention is intended to be practiced in a number of forms thereof, one such form comprehending limited oscillation of the bucket or scoop while being so crowded. Another form employs the swinging and elevating means for imparting oscillatory movement to the bottom 11p of the bucket, while in a third form the teeth at the forward and lower edge of the bucket are oscillated.

Irrespective of which form of the invention is employed, it is a principal object of the invention to improve the rooting action of a mucking machine to the end that the machine will more efficiently dislodge and load material from pile or bank thereof.

Other objects and important features of the invention will be apparent from a study of the following description taken with the drawings which together lllustrate and describe some preferred embodiments of the invention, and what are now considered to be the best modes of carrying out the principles thereof. Other embodiments of the invention may be suggested to those having the benefits of the teachings herein, and it is therefore intended that such other embodiments of the invention be reserved, especially as they fall within the scope and purview of the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a mucking machine having embodied therein one form of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the scoop or bucket shown in Fig. 1, showing certain details of construction of the first form of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a side view thereof; Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken along the hne 4-4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail side view showing a support for the bucket, said view looking in the direction of the arrows 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a scoop having embodied therein a second form of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged side view of part of the bucket shown in Fig. 7 showing details of mechanism for oscillating the lower lip thereof;

Fig. 10 is a section taken along the hue 10-10 of Fig. 9 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of the bucket having embodied therein a third form of the invention in which the bucket teeth are oscillated;

Fig. 12 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 13 is a section taken along the line 13-13 of Fig. 12 showing the manner in which the bucket teeth are aflixed to the lower lip of the bucket; and

ice

lztilg. 14 is a perspective view of one of the bucket tee Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the improvements constituting the present invention are embodied in a mucking machine indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. Such a machine includes side frame members 21, 21 and a belt conveyor section 22 positioned therebetween which moves material upward from the front of the machine to discharge material at the top and rear end thereof. The side frame members 21, 21 are formed integral with a fish tail or turntable 23 which provides a place for turning movement about an axis P in a horizontal plane of a boom 24 having a bucket or a shovel indicated generally by the reference numeral 26 mounted at the end thereof. The bucket 26 is adapted to pivot about an axis A-A with respect to the boom 24 so that the contents thereof may be discharged on to the boom 24. The discharge boom has a stop arm 25 depending from the lower side thereof which is engaged by the bucket 26 when it is returned to a loading position as seen more clearly in Fig. 3.

The boom 24 and the bucket 26 are adapted to being raised about a horizontal axis, not shown, when both are positioned in the manner shown in Fig. 1, to a position whereby material slides down the boom 24 and on to the lower end of the conveyor 22, whence the material is moved upward and rearward to the opposite end of the machine 20.

The bucket 26 and the boom 24 are raised and lowered by draft means 27 connected to each side of the bucket 26 and which are trained around separate winding drums 28 mounted on each side of the center of the machine 20. The draft means 27 are controlled in their movement by planetary trains 29, each planetary train including a drive shaft 31, power being transmitted to the drive shaft 31 by means of a driving chain 32 which in turn is driven from a shaft 33.

The side frame members 21, 21 are connected near the upper ends thereof to a cross member 34 provided with mounting brackets 36, 36 which form points of support for idler rollers 37 over which the draft members 27 move, the draft members 27 being additionally guided between idler rollers 28 disposed on the cross member 34.

The planetary trains 29 are under the control of friction bands 39 which are brought in to braking engagement with the trains 29 by means of rock arms 41 under the control of separate levers 42, 42. The levers 42 are manipulated by an operator standing upon a platform 43 alongside the machine 20. It will be understood that when one of the friction bands is engaged, the planetary 29 associated therewith will wind the draft member on the drum 28 to swing the boom 24 and shovel 26, the other planetary and drum being free to slack off its draft means. When both levers 42 are operated after centering of the boom, the boom and bucket are lifted together for discharge on to the conveyor 22.

The precise details of the mechanism thus far described forms no part of the present invention, and other means suitable for swinging the boom 24 about the pivot P and for raising same when properly centered about the horizontal axis, not shown, may be employed equally as well. Suffice it to say, however, the mucking machine 20 is generally mounted upon wheels, not shown, arranged to run upon a track in a bore or tunnel. According to the present invention, the draft means 27 is arranged to give an oscillatory movement to the bucket 26 to improve the rooting action thereof when the machine 20 is crowded into a bank of muck or rock. As seen more particularly in Fig. 2, the bucket 26 is provided with a lower lip 44 having teeth 46 protruding in a forward direction therefrom. The bucket 26 also includes sidewalls 47 and a back wall 48.

The bucket 26 is arranged to turn about the axis A--A for discharge on to the boom 24, and is arranged to be supported upon a shaft 49 which is supported in stationary position in shaft blocks 51 mounted or secured in any other fashion to the underside of the boom 24.

The backwall 48 of the bucket 26 has extending therefrom side knuckle members 52 and a central knuckle member 53. The side knuckle members 52 are slotted as at 54 to receive a pillow block 56 supporting the shaft 49. The central knuckle 53 is formed with a spherical bearing 57. It will be seen that the bucket 26 may oscillate on the shaft 49 about the spherical bearing 57, such oscillatory movement being permitted by the elongated slot 54 in the side knuckles 52.

The same draft means 27 which are provided for rocking the bucket 26 about the shaft 49, so that the contents may thereof be discharged on to the boom 24 for subsequent discharge onto the boom the conveyor belt 22, are also arranged to give oscillatory movement to the bucket 26 whilst in the position shown in Fig. 3 so that the teeth 46 thereof may more readily root into a bank of spoil or dislodged rock. To this end the draft means 27 are affixed to an arm 58 of a bell crank 60 which is pivotally connected to a link 62 slidably connected to the end of the shaft 49 extending beyond the side knuckles 52. The shaft 49 is provided with stop collar 64 at the end thereof to hold the link 62 between the stop collar 64 and the side knuckles 52.

As seen more particularly in Fig. 3, the link 66 has an elongated slot 63 therein, so that upon a pull by one of the draft means in one direction, the links 62 on each side of the bucket will have a lost motion with respect to the shaft 49. The lost motion afforded by the slot 63 of each link 62 enables the bucket 26 to be oscillated by alternate actuation of the operating levers 42, which gives alternating tensioning and slackening off of each of the draft means 27 during such oscillating movement of the draft means 27.

If one of the draft means is actuated for too long a period, it will be obvious that the lost motion connection afforded by the link 62 will be taken up, thus causing movement of the boom 27 about the pivot P. Such a condition will apprise the operator of the necessity of operating the other lever 42 so that the oscillatory movement of the bucket 26 may be continued.

The links 62 also afford a means of centering the bucket 26 properly when the boom 24 and bucket 26 are raised by both of the draft means 27. When the lost motion of each is taken up by the bell cranks 60, the bucket is properly centered on the boom 24, and continued pull by the draft means 27 will rock the bucket 26 about the shaft 49 to dumping position on the boom, the continued pull then raising the boom 24 to position for discharge on the conveyor 22.

Referring now to Figs. 6 to 10 of the drawings. there is shown another embodiment of the invention wherein the lower lip 44 of the bucket 26 is oscillated about a center pivot 71. In this embodiment of the invention the knuckles 52 and the center knuckle 53 are arranged to have onlv pivotable movement about the shaft 49 and no oscillatory movement.

As seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the bottom of the bucket 26 5 consists of tw plates 72 and 73 which are spaced from each other. The lower lip 46 extends between the plates 72 and 73 and pivots about the pin 71. The lower lip 46 is oscillated by pulling upon the draft chains 27 in the alternate fashion heretofore described. Each chain 27 is connected to a bell crank pivoted to the outside of the side wall 47 at 75 and consisting of an upper crank arm 74 and a lower crank arm 76.

The end of the arm 76 is provided with a slot 77 having opposed gibs 78 thereon. A stub 79 is welded or otherwise fastened to each side of the lip 44 and extends through a slot 81 in the side wall 47 near the bottom thereof, and is fitted with a ball embraced by mating socket halves 82 held together by cap screws 83, the two socket halves 82 also bearing against the gibs 78 and being guided thereby.

It will be apparent that when the bell cranks 70 are rocked alternately by tension and release on the draft chains 27, the bottom lip 46 will be oscillated about the pivot 71. It will also be apparent that the slot 77 enables the bell cranks 70 to rock slightly in opposite directions during such oscillatory movement of the bottom lip 44.

As with the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5 the levers 42 are moved alternately to cause the draft chains 27 to be pulled upon and released in alternate fashion. When it is desired the boom 24 and bucket 26 are centered as before, and a pull placed upon both draft chains 27 to raise the bucket and boom.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 14, there is shown a third embodiment of the invention wherein the bucket teeth are oscillated to augment the rooting action of the bucket 26 while it is being crowded into the muck or rock. In this embodiment of the invention, the knuckles 52 and 53 are likewise arranged to have only pivotable movement about the shaft 49 and no oscillatory movement. As with the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 to 10, the bucket 26 is provided with bell cranks 70. the lower arms 76 of which are slotted at the ends thereof as at 77. Each slot 77 provides a guide for a ball and socket assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 86 mounted on a stub arm 87 of a bell crank 88 pivoted at 89 to the lower lip 44. Each bell crank 88 has an arm 91 which is pivotally connected at to a bar 92 extending between the arms 91.

Bucket teeth 93 are pivoted at 96 near the rear ends thereof to the bottom lip 44 of the bucket 26. and each has a pivoted connection at 97 to the link 92. The bottom lip 44 is preferably formed with an arcuate portion 98 at each bucket tooth 93 which corresponds to an arcuate portion 99 on the bucket tooth. the construction thereby preventing wedging of material between the teeth 93 and the lip 44 as the teeth 93 are oscillated.

Stationary teeth 101 extending in an outward and forward direction may be mounted to the lower lip 44 in the manner shown in Fig. ll.

It will be seen from the description had with reference to Figs. 11 to 14 that when tension is placed on the draft chain 27 tending to rock the nearmost bell crank in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Fig. l2. the bell cranks 88 will also rock in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 11. As before, the alternate pulling upon the draft means 27 will rock the bell cranks 70 accordingly, to impart oscillatory movement to the bell cranks 88 to oscillate the teeth 93.

From the foregoing description of the several embodiments of the invention it will be apparent that there has been provided a new and useful construction particularly adapted for use with mucking machines of the general type referred to above. In the several embodiments described the usual hoisting and swinging draft means are employed to give oscillatory movement to the bucket or to the teeth thereof to augment the rooting action of the bucket while it is being crowded into the muck or rock.

While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments thereof, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the terms of the claims here appended.

I claim:

1. An excavating machine comprising a boom and a bucket mounted at the end thereof, draft means connected to each side of said bucket for swinging said bucket and said boom and for moving said bucket for discharge of the contents thereof onto said boom, bucket teeth mounted on said bucket at the forward edge thereof, a connection between said bucket and said boom affording oscillation of said bucket with respect to said boom, a bell crank mounted on each side of said bucket and connected to said draft means, the rocking of said bell cranks upon alternate pulling of said draft means causing said bucket to oscillate about said connection.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein a lost motion connection is provided between said bell cranks and said oscillation affording connection to enable said draft means to be pulled in alternate fashion.

3. An excavating machine comprising a boom and a bucket mounted at the end thereof, draft means connected to each side of said bucket for swinging said bucket and said boom and for moving said bucket for discharge of the contents thereof onto said boom, bucket teeth mounted on said bucket for oscillatory movement with respect to said bucket, a lever mounted on each side of said bucket and connected to said draft means, means affording a connection between said lever and said bucket, the alternate pulling on said draft means causing said bucket teeth to oscillate.

4. An excavating machine comprising a boom and a bucket mounted at the end thereof, draft means connected to each side of said bucket for swinging said bucket and said boom and for moving said bucket for discharge of the contents thereof onto said boorn, bucket teeth mounted on said bucket for oscillatory movement with respect to said bucket, a lever mounted on each side of said bucket and connected to said draft means, a lost motion connection between said lever and said bucket teeth whereby said draft means may be pulled alternately to oscillate said bucket teeth.

5. An excavating machine comprising a boom and a bucket mounted on the end thereof, draft means connected to each side of said bucket for swinging said bucket and said boom and for moving said bucket for discharge of the contents thereof onto said boom, a lower lip for said bucket having bucket teeth mounted thereon, said lower lip being pivotally connected to said bucket, a lever mounted on each side of said bucket and connected to said draft means, means affording a connection between said lever and said lower lip, the alternate pulling on said draft means causing said lower lip to oscillate.

6. An excavating machine comprising a boom and a bucket mounted on the end thereof, draft means connected to each side of said bucket for swinging said bucket and said boom and for moving said bucket for discharge of the contents thereof onto said boom, a lower lip for said bucket having bucket teeth mounted thereon, said lower lip being pivotally connected to said bucket, a lever mounted on each side of said bucket and connected to said draft means, a lost motion connection between said lever and said lower lip whereby said draft means may be pulled alternately to oscillate said lower lip.

7. An excavating machine comprising a boom and a bucket mounted at the end thereof, draft means connected to each side of said bucket for swinging said bucket and said boom and for moving said bucket for discharge 30 of the contents thereof onto said boom, a lower lip on said bucket and bucket teeth arranged to oscillate with respect to said lower lip, a lever mounted on each side of said bucket and connected to said draft means, means affording a connection between said lever and said bucket teeth, the alternate pulling on said draft means causing said bucket teeth to oscillate.

8. An excavating machine comprising a boom and a bucket mounted at the end thereof, draft means connected to each side of said bucket for swinging said bucket and said boom and for moving said bucket for discharge of the contents thereof onto said boom, a lower lip on said bucket and bucket teeth arranged to oscillate with respect to said lower lip, a lever mounted on each side of said bucket and connected to said draft means, a lost motion connection between said lever and said bucket teeth whereby said draft means may be pulled alternately to oscillate said bucket teeth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,878,037 Vodoz Sept. 20, 1932 2,086,573 Osgood July 13, 1937 2,239,076 Biedess Apr. 22, 1941 2,241,446 Corner May 13, 1941 2,471,192 Boulton May 24, 1949 2,619,748 McIntosh Dec. 2, 1952 2,657,480 Armington et al Nov. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 552,344 Great Britain Apr. 2, 1943 

